6 May 20156 May 2015

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

One Student, One Community,Many Futures

Personalised Learning

We have again worked hard this term withall our students as we strive to achieve ourgoal for every student to be connected toour school and to be engaged in a personal

learning pathway. To achieve this we must cater to theindividual learning needs of every student. At this school webelieve that with positive and ongoing feedback and supportevery student can succeed and achieve to their potential.

I hope that many of you get the opportunity to come alongto one of our Parent/Teacher nights over the next few weeks.Parents and carers are an essential part of the learning progressof every student. This is a great opportunity to hear first-handabout the learning progress of your child, our student.

Uniform update

Over the next week we hope to receive our last outstandinguniform item (male formal shorts). Thank you to all parents fortheir patience regarding this matter as we have worked throughthe many issues with our supplier. The feedback regarding thenew school jumper has been really positive and we have largequantities in stock. We are also encouraging our students topurchase one of our three school hat varieties (bucket, peakor broad brim) to wear every day and during sport relatedactivities.

GIPSA Sport

The ‘Greater Independent Public School Alliance’ (GIPSA) sportcompetition is progressing well despite the cancellation lastweek due to the weather. We have over 1400 students involvedin the competition and the feedback from students whoparticipated in week one was overwhelmingly positive. Ourstudents enjoyed the more professional experience with theschools involved paying convenors and organising professionalreferees wherever possible. GIPSA is a ten week competitionfinishing in week 6 in Term 3.

NAPLAN

Our Year 7 and 9 students have been working earnestly inpreparation for the upcoming NAPLAN tests. We hope thetests will provide some great feedback on how our studentsand school is progressing in terms of literacy and numeracyachievement. All parents have been sent emails and lettersregarding NAPLAN arrangements. Please call Deputy PrincipalHeidi Booth if you have any queries.

Regards

Mark BlackshawExecutive Principal

Year 12 UNITY DAYLast Thursday, we had the Year 12 UNITY DAY. The purposeof the day was for students to reflect on their current goals andconsider the actions required for them to achieve them. Wewere very fortunate to have two wonderful high-profile guestspeakers in Eric Bailey, former NBL player and activationalspeaker and Trevor Hendy former World Champion Ironmanand motivational speaker.

Both of these speakers had similar messages in terms ofself-belief. The key messages discussed on the day are outlinedbelow for you to discuss with your student.

Eric Bailey

Trevor Hendy

Life is whatever you want to make it!!!

• Take the opportunities provided to you

• Seize the moment

• Give 100% and NEVER GIVE UP!!!!

• Every moment is a living moment

• Stuff happens!!! And when it does – that is youropportunity

• Find yourself – Know yourself – Trust yourself

243 Discovery DriveHelensvale QLD 4212

Website:Website: https://helensvaleshs.eq.edu.auEmail:Email: admin@helensvaleshs.eq.edu.au

Phone:Phone: 07 5573 8555Fax:Fax: 07 5573 8500

Subscribe to Online Newsletter!Subscribe to Online Newsletter! http://helensvshs.schoolzinenewsletters.com/subscribe

Combined with team-building activities, information regardingTAFE courses and QCS team talk, the day was a success.Thanks to the year 12 students who participated andcontributed positively to the day. I hope you are able to carrythese messages with you through your Year 12 journey.

Nicole BrazeauHOD – Academic Performance

Eric BaileyEric Bailey Trevor HendyTrevor Hendy

Team building activitiesTeam building activities

QCAA Community Representatives

To maintain the accountability, security and proper conduct ofthe QCS Test, the Queensland Curriculum and AssessmentAuthority (QCAA) appoints community members to completeduties on our behalf.

Helensvale State High School invites community membersto apply for the positions of chief communityrepresentative and/or community representative at testcentres.

On behalf of the QCAA, the chief supervisor of each test centrereceives applications and selects an appropriate person foreach available position at the test centre.

Please note: Nominees are required to have a personal emailaddress. All communication from us will be emailed to them. Ifthe applicant doesn’t have their own email address, they will notbe suitable to nominate.

Any interested community members should collect anapplication form from the main office or contact Nicole forfurther information.

Nicole BrazeauHOD – Academic Performance

Parent Teacher Interviews ProcessDear Parents and Carers

Learning is a partnership between the student, parents andthe school. Please take the time to discuss this report withyour son or daughter as it provides up to date feedback onstudent achievement, effort, behaviour and homework for Term1. Please also consider attending one or both of our parentteacher events to receive feedback first hand from our teachers.Interviews for students in grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 will beheld on Monday 11th May in the Student Activity Centre (SAC)and the Performing Arts Complex (PAC) between 3.30pm and7.30pm. Students in grades 7 and 8 with have their StudentImprovement Conversations on Tuesday 19th May between3.15 and 7.45pm in Discovery Place.

Our End Term 1 Report Card

This report is designed to give early feedback on learningachievement across the first ten weeks of this year. In somecases, this mark may represent the achievement as a result ofonly one or two assessment tasks completed in Term 1. Thisinitial grade may change significantly across the year as wedevelop a more comprehensive picture of student abilities andprogress.

The marks (A-E) represent the teacher ‘on-balance’/overalljudgement of student achievement based on student work andassessment compared against the standards for that subject.Teachers also moderate (compare) samples of their students’work with other teachers in their subject area to improve theconsistency and fairness of ratings awarded to students.

We hope that the coming report card serves the basic purposeof giving students and parent/carers accurate, straight forwardand timely information about student learning and achievement,behaviour, effort and homework at Helensvale State High.

Our Parent Teacher Interviews

We are providing parents and carers of students in grades 9,10, 11 and 12 with an opportunity for a 10 minute interviewwith our teachers on Monday 11th May in the Student ActivityCentre (SAC) and the Performing Arts Complex (PAC) between3.30pm and 7.30pm.

Students in grades 7 and 8 with have their StudentImprovement Conversations on Tuesday 19th May between3.15 and 7.45pm in Discovery Place.

Instructions on how to book interviews are at the bottom of thisletter.

We encourage you to attend the interview with your son ordaughter. Below is an example of the questions that you canask our teachers:

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For Parent/Teacher Interviews we are again using theinternet-based booking system “Parent Teacher On-Line”(PTO). Using this system you will be able to book the interviewtimes that suit you best from any internet-connected computer.If you do not have internet access, please contact the schoolon 5573 8555 for assistance.

Bookings will open on Thursday 30th April from 6.00pm andwill close on Thursday 7th May at 9:00am, 2015 for studentsin grade 9, 10, 11 and 12.

Bookings will open for students in grades 7 and 8 on Monday11th May from 6.00pm and will close on Friday 15th May at9.00am, 2015.

Please access the system as follows:

Due to security and privacy requirements of EducationQueensland, we are not permitted to load parent and studentnames into PTO without first obtaining individual consent fromparents. PTO allows this consent to be obtained as a part of thelogin process. Please follow these steps to log in to PTO andmake your interview bookings:

Industry Pathways

Welcome Karissa Benson

The Industry Pathways Team has a new assistant. KarissaBenson is an intern working in the office of Nicola Brandis (HODIndustry Pathways) and Paulina Ford (Industry Liaison Officer). Iasked Karissa to tell you what she has been up to this fortnight.

Hi my name is Karissa Benson and since starting in my newworkplace at the start of Term 2, I have been made verywelcome into the Industry Pathways team at Helensvale StateHigh School. One of the first projects I have been working onis the Year 11 Recruitment Drive. I have been interviewing theNon-OP students to see how we can help them in relation totheir career options and how we can assist them while theyare at school. This has been a great opportunity to learn myway around the school, the computers, and also meeting thestudents I will be working with this year. I have also startedcontacting our 2014 Graduates to see what they are doing inregards to work and study. I look forward to working within theIndustry Pathways Team and developing my skills in this field.Keep an eye out for future developments.

• At what achievement level is my son/daughter at andhow does this compare to the rest of the class andyear level?

• What does my son/daughter need to do to improvehis or her grade?

• What is my son/daughter good at and what do theyneed to work on?

• How does my son/daughter behave in class and howcan they change any behaviour to improve learning?

• What can I do as a parent to help my son/daughterachieve in this subject?

• Go to the school’s home pagewww.helensvaleshs.eq.edu.au

• Click the PTO icon as shown here …

• Click “Register for Use” (not Login)

• Immediately after you have registered,an automatic email will be sent to your nominatedemail address containing your password

• Login to PTO using the details provided in the email

• After you have received your login details, click“Login” on the PTO login screen and enter yoursurname and PIN as shown in the email.

• Enter the Education Queensland ID (EQ ID) numberof the student for whom you wish to book interviews.EQ ID’s have ten numbers followed by one letter.You can enter more than one EQ ID if you havemultiple students at the school. The EQ ID is on thestudents ID card underneath the barcode, and hasalso been printed on their reporting envelope.

• Enter the name of the students for each EQ IDentered. This will help you when making bookingsand will also help teachers to know who they arehaving the interview with.

• After you have entered your student’s EQ ID you canproceed to make bookings as instructed on thescreen.

• You will only see time slots which are available at thetime you are using the system. As time slots arebooked for teachers, those timeslots are no longerdisplayed as available. PTO prevents double-bookingof teachers or parents/guardians for any givenstudent. You will be able to liaise with the teacherdirect to make an appointment for further discussionif necessary.

• When you have made all the bookings you require,you can print a report of your bookings in time order.You can log in and change bookings any time up toThursday May 7th 2015 for students in grades 9,10, 11 and 12 and Friday May 15th 2015 for grades7 and 8

• Other parents may be making bookings at the sametime that you are using the system. It is possible,though unlikely, that a timeslot is displayed to you asavailable, but is then booked by another parentshortly afterwards. If you then attempt to book thistimeslot it will not be available and a message will bedisplayed to indicate this.

• A school map is available on the PTO website;accessible via the school’s home pagewww.helensvaleshs.eq.edu.au.

• If you encounter any problems using PTO pleasenotify the school office, preferably via email atadmin@helensvaleshs.eq.edu.au

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TAFE Queensland Gold Coast Mid- Year intake –for Year IP (industry Pathways) students only:

TAFE QLD Gold Coast Schools Programs allow you to fasttrack your career by completing a Certificate or Diploma levelqualification and gaining points towards your QueenslandCertificate of Education (QCE). Enhance employmentopportunities by gaining hands-on, practical experiencethrough a TAFE Queensland Gold Coast’s Schools Program.These courses are hosted at Ashmore, Coomera Riviera orSouthport Campuses. (* VETiS Funded)

Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation *Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation * -Female CohortCertificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start) *Certificate II in Engineering Pathways (Boating Focus) *Certificate II in Engineering Pathways (Metal Focus) *Certificate II in Engineering Pathways (Metal Focus) -Female CohortCertificate II in Marine Mechanical Technology *Certificate I in Plumbing Services *Certificate II in Hairdressing - $2,945Certificate II in Retail Makeup and Skin Care - $2,619

For more information regarding VETiS funding, length ofcourses, venues etc, please contact Paulina Fordpford2@eq.edu.au or 55738545. Applications close 5pm Friday29th May 2015. You will then be emailed with instructions onhow to secure your place.

School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships(SATS)

Keep up to date with the latest vacancies for SATS via parentand student emails, year parades and our NEW SATS VacancyBoard – outside SM02 - there are new positions every week.If you would like to discuss other opportunities in regards toSchool Based Apprenticeship and Traineeships, WorkExperience or External Course – please make an appointmentand I am happy to talk to you and your parent about options.

Paulina Ford pford2@eq.edu.au 55738545

Year 10 Work ExperienceAll Year 10 students are doing Work Experience between the31st August to the 4th September 2015. Students must FINDTHEIR OWN PLACEMENT.

Students will receive a Work Experience Pack from their Futuresteacher on Friday 15th May. The pack includes the followingforms:

If your student is away when these are handed out please havethem collect it from their Futures teacher. The forms are dueback to their Futures teachers on 31st July 2015.

Thank you

Nicola Brandis - HOD Industry Pathways

Immunisation Week 2015 - April 24 –April 30

This year’s campaign focuses on closing the immunisation gapand reaching equity in immunization levels as outlined in theWorld Health Organisations’ (WHO) Global Vaccine Action Plan,which is a framework to prevent millions of deaths by 2020through universal access to vaccines for people in allcommunities.

Key facts:

But an estimated 21.8 million infants worldwide are still missingout on basic vaccines. According to the most recent WHOestimate, 1.5 million children die every year of diseases thatcould be prevented by existing vaccines. In 2013, nearly 22million infants missed out on the essentialdiphtheria,-tetanus,-pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine (DTP),many of them living in the world’s poorest and most vulnerablecommunities.

Do your part to close the immunisation gap and ensure youand your family members are up to date with their immunisationneeds. Remember vaccinations are required throughout life notjust in childhood. Immunisation against communicable diseaseshelps protect the more vulnerable members of our communitywho for various reasons cannot be vaccinated, such as newborn babies. You can check your vaccination HALO by goingonline to the Better Health Channel Website (Link below). Youcan use this quick checklist to find out what immunisationsyou may need depending on your Health, Age, Lifestyle andOccupation (HALO).

• Student Letter

• Parent Letter

• Form A – student checklist

• Insurance Information for Parents

• Form D – employer WHS checklist

• Letter for employer

• Insurance form for employer

• Form B – student placement form

• Form C – student code of conduct

• Form E – work experience agreement

• Immunization prevents illness, disability and deathfrom vaccine-preventable diseases including cervicalcancer, diphtheria, hepatitis B, measles, mumps,pertussis, pneumonia, polio, rotavirus diarrhoea,rubella and tetanus.

• Immunization currently averts an estimated 2 to 3million deaths every year.

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http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/immunisationquiz?open

When you complete this checklist you will see the list ofimmunisations you may need to consider to protect your health.Print it off and take it with you when you next visit your doctor orimmunisation provider. Alternatively just make an appointmentand discuss your family’s vaccination requirements with youdoctor.

References:

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs378/en/

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcevent.nsf/pages/7330F09D2F0C5FA5CA257E29001E9A84

Joy Xavier- School Nurse

2015 ANZAC Day Essay Competition -Winner from Helensvale State HighSchoolWe were thrilled to learn that, for the second year in a row, oneof our talented students, Isabella Howells, had won the ANZACDAY Essay Competition, in the Junior Secondary Division(Years 7-9).

The competition was sponsored by the Member for Coomera,Michael Crandon MP and the North Gold Coast RSL SubBranch who selected Isabella’s essay as the winner from all ofthe Northern Gold Coast State and Private schools who hadentered the competition.

Isabella was then asked to recite her essay at the DawnService, where thousands of people were in attendance, at thenew Helensvale cenotaph. This must have been daunting taskfor the Year 7 student, taking the microphone, in front of sucha big crowd on this special centenary year. We are truly proudof you, Isabella and the other twenty-five students from theYear 7, 8 and 9 EXCITE English classes who participated in thecompetition, writing about either ‘The significance of ANZACDay’ or ‘My ANZAC Day Hero’.

Mrs Pip CroneCompetition Co-ordinator

STUDY TOUR HOMESTAY FAMILIESREQUIREDHelensvale SHS International Department is seeking goodquality homestay families for an upcoming study tour grouparriving in July from Taiwan. The students arrive Saturday 11July and leave on Monday morning 27 July (16 nights). Hostfamilies will be asked to host 2 students either male or femaleand will be subsidised per night per student, You will need tosupply 3 nutritious meals per day, 2 beds, transport to and fromschool and spend family time on weekends.

For further information please contact Narelle Gibson on55738587 (please leave a message if unanswered) or emailngibs12@eq.edu.au

HOMESTAY FOR LONG TERM STUDENTS

We have students arriving Term 3 from a number of differentcountries and periods ranging from 3 months to 3 years. Weneed homestay for these students. Homestay responsibilitiesinclude

Families will receive a fortnightly payment per student.

If you are interested in hosting for Study Tours or Long Termstudents please contact Narelle Gibson, International StudentCoordinator on 55738587 or email ngibs12@eq.edu.au

THREE MONTHS UNTIL SHOWTIME!It is a mere three months until Helensvale State High Schoolstudents take the stage at the Gold Coast Arts Centre toshowcase their production ‘Oliver’. It is always an exceptionallybusy time preparing for a musical production and we are thrilledto welcome some new students and staff to our team. WithFriday afternoon sport having commenced we are excited tohave Mrs Macaulay and Mrs McErlean join us in leading agroup of student sewers to assist us in costume production.Mr Karsten, our long standing set designer has also been busyworking with students on a Friday afternoon as they work atmaking props and other set elements for our production.

On a Tuesday and Thursday afternoon ourdancers, singers, actors and musicianshave continued demonstratingcommitment and enthusiasm at rehearsalsand indeed they are looking great andsounding sensational. Putting together aproduction of this size is no easy feat – it takes hours and hoursevery week – in and behind the scenes to ensure the productionlives up to the Helensvale standard.

Sunday rehearsals are due to start up in June and we lookforward to being able to use this time to put the show togetheras a whole.

Helensvale State High’s musical will be staged on 21st and22nd July 2015 at the Arts Centre – Gold Coast. Tickets will beon sale at the end of May.

Michelle PhelanMusical Producer

Costumes for School Musical ‘Oliver’

Can you SEW?

As the day for our Musical Opening performance draws nearwe are in need of any parents or community members that canassist in the sewing of costumes.

If you are able to help out please contact Bonita Winters onbwint19@eq.edu.au or call 5573 8555.

Thank you

• Student to have own bedroom

• 3 nutritious meals per day

• Be included in family outings

• Student welfare

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Drama Festival preparation begins!Each year Helensvale participates in the Gold Coast SecondarySchools Drama Festival. This year we once again will see ourproud school take the stage in all three categories – Junior,Intermediate and Senior. Mr Edwards and Mrs Phelan will directthe senior production, Ms Wilson has commenced her workwith the Intermediate group and Mrs Phelan’s Year 7 and 8Drama Excellence class will enter the competition as a class.

Recently Mrs Phelan’s 7/8 Drama Excellence classcommenced workshopping their production for the 2015Drama Festival. This year we have been granted specialpermission from well-known author and illustrator Shaun Tan,to utilise his most recent visual story ‘The Rules of Summer’as stimulus to create our performance. The Year 7/8 studentshave been exploring the story in class and have been activelyinvolved in examining themes of rules, rule makers, siblingrivalry and what it means to be a child. The students havebeen keen to contribute their ideas with the work being studentdevised. The festival is due to take place in the first three weeksof August and we look forward to hearing more from our moresenior casts as their rehearsals commence in the near future.

Michelle PhelanYear 7/8 Drama Excellence Teacher

Ks4KidsKs4Kids is a Fun Walk raising funds for school chaplaincy.School chaplaincy exists to support all students, staff and theirfamilies. Our School Chaplain, Long Bradley has been a part ofHelensvale High for 15 years. Long is employed by an externalagency which relies on Federal funding, the support of theschool, the school P&C, local churches and individual donors.He works very closely with other support staff - GuidanceOfficers, School Nurse, Student Liaison Officer, IndigenousStudent Support Officer and others to provide a safe andnurturing environment to facilitate students core business oflearning. Long has worked with children and youth since the80s. He supports students one-to-one, as well as in groupsthrough various programs.

All information on how to register to walk or donate for Ks4Kidsis available at www.ks4kids.org.au. Once on the site, go toParticipants and Teams and search for Helensvale State HighSchool and join in to make a difference for our students.

The Super Early Bird Entry Fee of $5 (for students) and $15 (nonstudents) has been extended to Monday 27th April. You can

choose to walk 3.5, 10, 20 or 30km. There are various prizes tobe won.

If you would like to know more about chaplaincy or Ks4Kids,please contact Long at school or via email atlbrad49@eq.edu.au.

Thank you.

Caitlin Grigg – Year 11 studentCaitlin Grigg a Year 11 student at Helensvale SHS recentlycompeted in the national series for BMX and finished animpressive 5th place overall. She also went on to the BMXAustralian National Titles. Below is a picture of her with 2Australian plates for 20' 6th in Australia and her cruiser 3rd inAustralia. Well done Caitlin!!!!

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